Jenkinson’s Features A Happy Hour Fit For A Pooch!

By Sherry Karabin ~

Looking to enjoy a relaxing cocktail at the beach, while your four-legged friend spends time playing with other dogs? If you happen to be visiting Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey on a Monday evening you’ll get the chance to do just that. 

Jenkinson’s second annual Canines & Cocktails event takes place every Monday starting at 5 p.m. in the beach area right outside Jenks Inlet Bar.  “It’s a nice way for people to relax after work,” says Katie Rickards, a coordinator of the event. “We get people of all ages and the numbers seem to keep growing.”

In case you can’t quite picture it in your mind, organizers set up two separate dog runs on the sand—one is designed for smaller breeds, the other accommodates all sizes. Often the smaller pooches do make their way to the all-dog run with their owners in tow. There’s plenty of drinking water available as well as kiddie pools and tubes so the dogs can explore their acrobatic sides.

“If they don’t want to play in the dog runs, we do allow dogs at the deck bar as long as they are on a leash,” says Rickards. For Betty and her dog Darla, Canines & Cocktails has become a regular part of their Monday routine. “This is the closest place where I can bring my dog and have a beer,” says Betty, a resident of Point Pleasant. “The combination of sun and walking the dog is really helpful for me.”

“Darla is an eleven-and-a-half-year-old Ridgeback,” says Betty. “She is a cancer survivor and we didn’t know if we would be coming here at all this year. Luckily the chemo worked and she’s here having a good time. “It’s usually packed every Monday. We even have people who we see here from our regular dog park. The other really nice part about this event is that most of the dogs are rescues, which is great.”

Point Pleasant Beach resident Bob brings his Labrador and Terrier mix Roxie to the event every Monday unless the weather is bad. “Last year I brought my other dog, who unfortunately passed away,” says Bob. “Now I take my new dog Roxie, who I got in March. It’s fun to watch the dogs play. They have a great time and all the dogs behave. I haven’t seen one problem with the dogs or the people.”

While many area residents turn out, there are those like Janine and her Goldendoodle Boo-Boo, who travel all the way from Levittown, Pennsylvania to enjoy the doggie social. “I love the beach and I love my dog and it’s a chance for him to come with me,” says Janine. “We come most weeks, depending on the weather. If it’s too hot, he can’t be out in the heat.”

Although bad weather can lead to a cancellation, Rickards says if the runs are already set up and there’s a good crowd they don’t always shut things down. “Sometimes people like the rain, so as long as the conditions are not dangerous, we keep things going.”

Canines & Cocktails will continue on Mondays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the rest of the summer.  From September 8 until the end of the month, it will be held on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, go to https://jenkinsons.com/ or follow Jenks Inlet on Instagram.

 

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